Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 11, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Sharon Ellsworth, Office of Trade and Economic Development, 360-725-4019

First Lady Mona Lee Locke will represent Washington on international trade mission to France

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today announced that First Lady Mona Lee Locke will represent him on an international trade mission to France June 13-17.

Due to extraordinary circumstances of the second special legislative session, the governor will remain in Olympia to attend to pressing matters of state.

Gov. Locke had hoped that the critical issues of transportation and the budget would have been resolved by now. They have not. He has weighed this decision carefully, but given the importance and timing of these issues, he feels his leadership in Washington is essential right now in resolving the current political logjam.

The governor asked the First Lady to represent him because of her exceptional abilities to represent the state, her knowledge of the French language and her keen interest in the economic condition of Washington state.

"The First Lady is a terrific ambassador and will serve the state exceptionally well," the governor said.

Gov. Locke also will send two of his executive cabinet members. Martha Choe, director of the state's Office of Trade and Economic Development, will represent the state in efforts to develop future business investment opportunities. Choe will meet with CEOs and decision-makers in trade, tourism and industry. Fred Kiga, director of the state's Department of Revenue, will present the state's business tax structure and incentives to companies interested in business investment opportunities in Washington.

The First Lady will represent the governor at various meetings, at the Washington Pavilion at the Paris Air Show in support of the state's aerospace industry and at the Vinexpo international wine and spirits exhibition in support of Washington wines.

Gov. Locke strongly supports Washington's ongoing efforts to expand international trade, tourism and inbound business investment with Europe. On a per capita basis, Washington is one of the leading exporting states in the country, and is the third-largest state exporter to Europe. Gov. Locke places a high value on Europe's continuing significant contributions to the diversification of our state's economic base.

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